It seems like flea and tick remedies have almost been around as long as fleas themselves. They’ve certainly been around long enough to have some brands emerge as household names. Frontline Plus is one of those famous monikers, and even non-dog owners know they exist. Does that make it good?
A Look at the Frontline Plus Flea and Tick
In the ads for Frontline Plus Flea and Tick, a trio of green ninjas deploy into the back of a dog and decimate a battalion of hungry parasites. While the ruthless efficiency of these animated mascots has led to some rather interesting online questions, they are ideally symbolic of what this product purports to do.
This topical cream is designed to wipe out whatever fleas and ticks happen to be hanging out on your pooch for up to 30 days upon application. It’s also designed to kill the eggs and larvae of fleas and ticks left behind on your dog. This action will also last for the same month-long duration.
Frontline Plus also has a reputation for working fast. Studies have indicated that the product starts killing off fleas and ticks about 4 hours after its application. Other studies indicate that the product can eradicate 100% of the fleas on a dog within 12 hours.
The method in which Frontline Plus dispatches fleas and ticks is twofold. The product contains two active ingredients responsible for the critter carnage: Fipronil and (S)-methoprene. The former kills off the adult fleas and ticks while the latter goes after the eggs and larvae.
The product does its killing by being present on the dog’s coat. This is different than other flea treatments like certain flea collars, where the active ingredients are absorbed through the dog’s skin and is activated through a flea bite. The fleas merely have to hop on your four-legged friend’s fur to experience doom.
In addition to handling fleas and ticks, Frontline Plus is also shown to handle chewing lice. These nasty wingless critters aren’t as common as the other two more infamous pesticides, but they can still cause your pooch a significant amount of grief.
Frontline Plus also offers users a relatively clean application process. The product is applied by squeezing the contents of an individualized packet onto a singular spot of your dog’s skin, between his shoulder blades. Once the contents are emptied, simply allow it to dry, and eventually it will do its thing.
It’s important that the substance is applied between the shoulder blades and nowhere else on your pooch. The reason for this is very practical, as it is the one place on a dog’s body that he cannot lick. As long as you follow the directions, you’ll never have to worry about your dog getting to the substance.
Once the product is on there, it stays on there. It remains active for 30 days, with no need for any re-application until the 30-day period is over. The substance is also waterproof once its properly applied, which could be good news if your pup enjoys a dip in the swimming pool with you during the summertime.
There is a little bit of variance when it comes to Frontline Plus’s price point. Its cost is determined by a few key metrics, including size of dog and number of treatments within a package. The product comes in clearly defined packages designating small, medium, and large breeds, as well as 3- and 6-month doses.
If you break down your cost based on a per-application basis, you can expect to pay $10 to $15 a month, depending on the size of your dog and where you purchase the product. This puts the product in a competitive price range with other products designed to do the same thing.
Is It a Good Product for You and Your Dog?
The main advantage to a topical cream like Frontline is that it provides a great deal of ease for both you and your dog. A flea collar is that it may cause your pooch a little bit of discomfort, and it may be tricky to get your dog to ingest an oral medication. With Frontline, you just apply it and you’re good to go.
Another plus that Frontline offers is that it allows you to apply its flea-killing power to your pooch at a young age. The product is suitable for pups as young as eight weeks, which is right around the time that they aren't as dependent on their mothers, and they're ready to move into your home. This is a good thing – fleas don’t wait for maturity to occur.
Another advantage that Frontline offers is that the only thing it does is kill fleas and ticks. There are some flea treatments – including several homemade treatments – that only act at flea repellents. While these treatments do a nice job of keeping fleas of your dog, the bloodsucking varmints will live to see another day.
With a product like Frontline, you don’t have to worry about fleas jumping off and lay in wait, waiting for another crack at using your pooch as a host. Rather, when a flea or tick comes in contact with the substance, it will be one of the last choices he’ll ever make.
This could be particularly beneficial if you have a flea infestation in your home. While eradicating your flea issue won’t be as swift as sweeping as a fogger or flea bomb, the fact that the product kills fleas and ticks on a multi-generational level will eventually help to whittle the critter’s numbers.
The one issues that may come up while you use Frontline is misapplication. If you don't follow the rules on how to apply the product properly, it will not work. This may be particularly frustrating if you don't get it right the first or second time you apply the treatment since it costs you $10 to $15 per application.
The spot of application is also the root of the product’s lone associated side effect, which is a negative skin reaction. Your dog may experience redness, irritation, and frustration, as the application site is tough to scratch and impossible to lick. See your veterinarian if the rash persists for several days.
If you are worried that your dog may have a reaction, or if you’re a bit nervous about applying the treatment the first time, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. Your vet will be able to guide you through the application process, and also give you advice on what to potentially look out for if your dog is indeed allergic.
What Other Options are Available?
The topical flea treatment market is as competitive as it gets when you’re dealing with killing fleas. You’ll find other flea treatment heavyweights in this genre, such as K9 Advantix II and Advantage II. All have their merits and are comparably priced, although it should be noted that Frontline Plus tends to be favored amongst vets.
If you don’t want to mess with a topical, there are other options that are available that can help you out. A long-lasting flea collar may be a good option for you if you’re afraid you’re going to repeatedly lapse on your pooch’s required monthly topical application. If you’re afraid of skin irritation, you can utilize an oral treatment.
If you have a massive flea or tick infestation, and you want to get a handle on it right away, you may want to consider using a flea bomb or a fogger. There are plenty of precautionary measures you'll have to take in order to protect you and your pooch for health reasons, but it may be a small price to pay if a massive amount of fleas is driving you nuts.
Should You Purchase Frontline Plus?
Fleas and ticks are more than annoying. They are dangerous little critters that can bring about a host of dreadful ailments to your dog. While the most common stuff your dog will experience includes skin irritations brought about by excessive itching, he could suffer from illnesses like anemia and Lyme disease.
Because the stakes of your dog's health can be so high, it's important you take steps to minimize his chances of getting bit as much as possible. The best way to do that is to kill the critters and wipe out their next generation.
This need is what makes Frontline so worthy of consideration. It won’t allow fleas to regroup and attack at a different time – it will destroy them. What’s more, it manages to do this trick before a flea or a tick has a chance to inflict a bite on your pooch, which is a massive benefit.
If you are worried about your beloved pooch getting hopelessly overrun by bloodsuckers this flea and tick season, you may want to consider giving Frontline a try. You won’t see little green ninjas seeping out of the application bottle and ready to fight, but you won't need to see them to know the product's being effective. Your dog will be proof enough.